by Gerri Hill
Patrice laughed. “Cold day in hell. Like I said, she’s a stickler.”
“Well, I’d like to think that if it meant stopping any more murders, she’d be inclined to help.”
“Good luck, McCoy. You’ll have your work cut out for you.”
Jake stood and Rick did the same. “Okay, then. Sorry to have taken up more of your time. Judging by the lobby out there, you’re going to have a long day.”
“Yes. Saturdays are usually busy.”
Rick left with only a nod, but Jake turned around and smiled. “Thanks, Patrice. I appreciate you seeing us.”
“Of course. Come by or call if you need something.”
“Thank you.”
Jake found Rick waiting in the hallway. He rolled his eyes as soon as she walked out.
“Please tell me you’re not going to ask her out?”
Jake shrugged. “Why?”
“I don’t like her for you.”
“Ricky, you don’t like anyone for me.”
“No, she’s too… manly.”
“Manly? She’s not manly. You didn’t even think she was gay.” Jake nodded to Connie. “Thanks.”
“Sure, Detective McCoy.”
Rick shook his head. “Like putty in your hands.”
“Shut up.”
“Now we get to see if you can mold Dr. Westbrook.”
Jake arched an eyebrow, but kept her comment to herself. For the time being, she still did not want Rick to know that she and Nicole were familiar with each other. For some reason, she didn’t think Nicole would appreciate that.
“Let’s hook up with her on Monday. Right now, I’d like to enjoy what’s left of our Saturday,” she said, as they walked back to her Land Cruiser.
“The sun is shining, and you don’t care how cold it is. You’re going to sneak out of town, aren’t you?”
Jake nodded. “Promised Cheyenne we’d do some hiking.”
“It’s cold as hell, Jake.”
“It’s not cold. You’re a wimp.”
“Yeah, city boy. But don’t overdo it Jake. Your leg still bums you, you know.”
Jake cocked her head. “You want to come with me? Or maybe that burger you talked about?”
He shook his head. “Might as well face the music. I’m sure her mother has called all the sisters by now. They are either waiting at the house for a lynching or have taken her into protective custody.”
“I’ll have my cell. Call me if you need me.”
“I know I can count on you to come to the rescue, Jake. Thanks.”
They both got in and slammed the doors, Jake reaching over to squeeze Rick’s arm affectionately before driving away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Early November was a funny time of year in Colorado. Jake left the city, still shrouded in clouds. As Rick had said, it was cold as the wind whistled across the concrete and between the high rises. But as she climbed into the mountains a half hour outside Denver, the sun was bright, warming the landscape. She lowered the back window, and Cheyenne immediately took advantage of it. The colors were gone from the mountains, the aspens having long ago shed their brilliant golden leaves. The days had definitely been hinting at winter, and she had a sudden longing for her cabin.
In the old days, she’d drive up during a blizzard just to be able to sit by the fire, gaze out the giant windows overlooking the Collegiate Peaks and watch the snow fall. She really missed the cabin. And after spending more than a month there, it reminded her of why she bought the place to begin with. Jake felt stifled in the city, and she could feel the tension leave the farther they drove into the mountains.
She looked in her side mirror, smiling at the nearly laughing face of Cheyenne as she stuck her face into the wind. Yeah, this is what she liked. Quiet time, alone time with her dog. They would drive out to Idaho Springs instead of venturing to the much-used Mt. Evans Wilderness. She’d go west to the tunnels and hike some of the old mining trails.
There were only two other cars at the trailhead. No one was about so she let Cheyenne out without the leash. After clipping her water bottle to her waist and hooking Cheyenne’s leash to a belt loop, she started out. Cheyenne ran ahead of her, turning around frequently to make sure she was coming.
“I’m still here,” she said, motioning to the dog to go ahead. She knew Cheyenne would not get too far ahead, and she kept a look-out for other hikers. Some hikers weren’t too keen to have a dog running wild up to them.
Clouds were gathering far to the west, over the Continental Divide and Jake suspected the mountains would have snow by morning. Denver would see perhaps a little rain, if that.
The trail climbed higher, moving through the ponderosas and into the spruce, affording Jake a beautiful view of Mt. Evans to the south and the ski area to the west. She paused at a switchback, looking to the south. Cheyenne walked back to her, finally nudging her leg. She walked on, her leg feeling strong, only an occasional twinge on a very steep portion of the trail. This hike should be fine for her. They’d go up about an hour, then head back down, well before dark.
They only encountered one hiker coming back down the trail, and he simply patted Cheyenne on the head and kept going. They were still a good hour from reaching the tunnels and Jake looked to the sky, noting the dark clouds. Best to head back down now.
“Cheyenne? Come on, girl,” she called. The dog immediately came dashing down the trail, brushing Jake as she passed by. She made the trip down easily, although Jake’s leg was aching by the time they finished the last switchback. She was visibly limping as they walked to her truck. She offered Cheyenne some water from her bottle, and the dog drank, lapping up the liquid from Jake’s palm.
By the time they headed back, dusk was upon them, and the temperature had dipped into the forties. Jake pulled on the sweat-shirt she kept in her backpack, then settled in, driving them slowly back to Denver. Cheyenne was lying in the back, head resting on the console. Jake absently rubbed her head as she drove.
“You’re spoiled rotten, you know,” she murmured.
She got no response except a thump of the tail.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Catherine looked up as the door opened, expecting their next client. She was surprised to be locking glances with Nicole’s Jake.
“Hi again, Catherine,” Jake said.
“Detective,” she greeted.
“The doc busy?”
Catherine nodded, watching silently as Jake perched a hip on the side of her desk. She barely noticed the other detective take a seat in the lobby.
“Can you squeeze me in between appointments?”
The door opened again and Lori Simmons walked in, head held low, as usual. She barely met Catherine’s eyes, and she took a seat at the opposite end as Detective Chase.
“She’s nervous,” Catherine whispered. “Do you think he could leave?”
Jake frowned, then looked at the woman fidgeting, eyes darting between Rick and the door.
“Rick,” she said quietly. When he looked up, she motioned to the door. He nodded and followed her outside. “The lady in there is… kinda freaked with you being in the room.”
“What’d I do?”
“Nothing. She’s probably abused. Why else is she here?”
“Okay. What do you want me to do?”
Jake cocked her head. “Wait in the car?”
“Oh, Jesus. Wait in the fucking car?”
“If we freak out her patients, do you think Dr. Westbrook is going to give us anything?” Jake reasoned.
“No, you’re right. Hell, I hate waiting in the fucking car.”
“Big baby.” Jake pulled the keys from her pocket and tossed them at him. “This doesn’t mean you’re driving on the way back.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he murmured as he walked down the hall and dejectedly punched the elevator button.
“I won’t be long,” Jake called.
When Jake walked back in, another woman was walking out. She stepped aside, holding the
door open for the woman. When she closed the door, she glanced at Catherine with raised eyebrows.
“Five minutes,” Catherine said firmly as she picked up the phone. “Detective McCoy is here.”
Jake listened, watching Catherine frown.
“Yes, she’s here, too.”
Jake shifted. She’d hate to have to throw a fit. But she would. She needed to speak with Nicole.
“Okay. I’ll tell her.” Catherine hung up the phone. “You have two minutes.”
“Two? You said five.”
“You have a minute and a half.”
Jake pointed a finger at Catherine. “You’re cruel.” But she hurried to Nicole’s door, not bothering to knock.
“Two minutes?” she asked, as soon as the door was closed.
Nicole looked up, catching her breath as her eyes met Jake’s. “I have a patient waiting. And trust me, Lori does not need to be kept waiting.”
“I noticed she was a little nervous.”
“Yes.” Nicole leaned back, her eyes traveling the length of Jake despite her resolve not to. “What can I do for you?”
“I need some names from you.”
“Names?”
“Of all the clients that were referred to you from the crisis center.”
Nicole leaned forward. “Are you out of your mind?”
“I don’t think so. Is that a problem?”
“Of course it’s a problem. Jake, I can’t just give you this information.”
“Why not? I’m not asking for anything other than names. And maybe addresses.”
Nicole sighed. “Detective, I don’t have time to argue with you. I have a patient waiting. Maybe we could discuss this another time?”
“Time is short, Dr. Westbrook,” Jake said. “And I need your help on this.”
Nicole’s eyes locked on Jake’s and, for the life of her, she couldn’t look away. She found herself being pulled, once again, to this woman.
“Make a real appointment, Jake. Then we’ll discuss this.”
“How about over dinner?” Jake asked, the question startling her as much as Nicole.
“No.” Dinner? Nicole pulled her chair closer to her desk. “Have Catherine set you up with a time.”
Jake shrugged. “Sure. Sure, I’ll do that.” She leaned her hands on the desk, and again caught Nicole’s eyes. “I need your help, Nicole. Women are being murdered, and they are linked to you.” She stood up straight. “So we’ll talk soon. One way or the other.”
Nicole watched her walk out, her eyes locked on the retreating back. One way or the other? What the hell did that mean? But she pushed Jake from her mind, smiling as Lori entered her office. It was only the third visit for Lori and she was still way, way out there. Nicole had yet to reach her.
“Hi, Lori. Did you have a good week?”
Lori barely lifter her head. “No, not really.”
Nicole nodded. It was a standard reply.
———
Jake tapped on the window, smiling as Rick jerked his head up.
“Didn’t sleep much?”
“Hell, no.” Rick stretched. “Between the threatening calls from the sisters, and my own paranoia, no, I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Afraid the lynch mob was going to come get you?”
“Yeah. Maybe you could let me borrow Cheyenne for a few nights.”
“No way. But if you want to bunk at my place, you can.”
“Hell, no. I’m not scared of a bunch of women.”
Jake laughed. “Of course not.” She pulled into traffic, then glanced at Rick. “You have to talk to her, you know.”
“I know. I just want to wait a few days and let her settle down.”
“What exactly did you tell her?”
“I told her I wasn’t in love with her, and I really didn’t even like her much.”
“Good Lord, Rick. Real subtle.”
“Well, you said I should tell her.”
“Ever heard of sugarcoating it?”
He shrugged. “It just kinda came out. And when it started, it wouldn’t stop.”
It was her turn to shrug. “Well, I guess you got it all out at once. At least that’s over with.”
“Yeah. But she acted all shocked and everything, like I’d just imagined all these problems.”
“It’s just a defense mechanism.”
“I know. But still, I felt like a total asshole.”
Jake laughed. “Well, I can’t help you there.” Jake again reached over and squeezed his arm.
“So, did the doc give up names or what?”
“Hell, no. She let me have my say, then had me make an appointment to see her.”
“An appointment?”
Jake shrugged. “Apparently, she’s very busy. So, I sweet-talked Catherine a bit, and she said her last appointment leaves at four-thirty.”
“So we’ll show up then?”
“I’ll show up then.”
“Come on, Jake. For some reason, I get the feeling that Dr. Westbrook doesn’t exactly like you. Maybe I should go in solo,” Rick suggested.
But Jake shook her head. “Nothing against you, buddy, but all day long, she listens to women who’ve been abused by their hus-bands. I don’t think a man asking her for a favor is going to go over well.”
“You’re probably right. But what if she won’t give it up? Do you think the lieutenant could pull off a court order?”
“No.” But Jake smiled. “She’ll give it up.”
“Now, Jake. Dr. Westbrook didn’t look like your type. In fact, I’d bet money that she doesn’t play for your team.”
“Why does everything revolve around sex with you?”
“ ‘Cause I’m a guy. That’s what we do.”
Jake shook her head. “She’ll give it up because I’ll talk her into it. Don’t worry.”
“Okay. I won’t worry. Because we’ve got shit for leads in this, anything the doc will give up can only help.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Nicole kicked off her shoes, glad the last appointment of the day was finally over. Catherine was right. She needed to space things out more. She’d been at it nonstop since nine that morning. Tomorrow would be slower. Much slower. The group session would last a couple of hours. After that, she had the afternoon to herself.
“Right,” she murmured. The afternoon would most likely be spent making notes. She was so behind. The scribbled notes she made while in session would hardly be legible in a few more days.
A knock on her door brought her head up and she frowned, wondering why Catherine was knocking.
“Come on in, Catherine,” she called.
But it was not Catherine who entered. Jake stood in the doorway, a smile lifting up one corner of her mouth.
“You said to make an appointment.”
“So I did.”
Jake shrugged. “This is it.”
Catherine stood behind her, an apologetic look on her face. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you, Dr. Westbrook.”
“Uh-huh.” Nicole noticed the slight blush of Catherine’s cheeks, no doubt the result of Jake’s presence. Even a happily married woman like Catherine was not immune to her charms, Nicole noted.
“Really. But I think… you’re in good hands.”
“Thanks a lot, Catherine,” Nicole said, as Jake walked into the room and perched in one of the visitors’ chairs. Nicole took a deep breath, then looked up and met Jake’s eyes. “Detective… McCoy,“ she said. “You have something new to tell me?”
“No. We still just have three murders linked to you. I’m sure there’ll be more,” Jake said easily.
Nicole leaned forward. “Jake, what do you want from me?”
“I want the names of everyone referred to you by the crisis center in the last three years.”
“And that’ll do what for you?”
“Well, we can try to monitor them…”
“Jake, there is not just a handful. In three years, there have probably been
forty or fifty women referred to me by Patrice.”
Jake raised an eyebrow. “Are you and Patrice Kane… close?”
“Close? We’re friends. Not good friends. Why?”
Jake shrugged and looked away. “So, you have a list?”
“And you’re going to watch them all?”
“We’ve got to start somewhere.” Jake stood and walked to the desk, leaning a hip on the corner. “Have you had any unusual phone calls? Anyone hanging around?”
“No. But Catherine would know about the phones. What are you getting at?”
“There’s a possibility that whoever is killing these women is not after them, but you.”
“Me?” Nicole sat up. “Why would you think that?”
“You’re the link. You and the crisis center.”
“If you’re trying to scare me, you’re not succeeding. I’ve had more threats from my patients’ husbands than I can possibly tell you.”
Jake stiffened. “What kinds of threats?”
Nicole let out a deep breath. “Jake, they’re just threats. Their wife goes to court to testify, I get a threatening phone call, maybe a letter. They get sentenced to prison, I get another threatening letter. It’s old hat.”
Jake shook her head. “This is different, Nicole.”
“Jake, if someone wanted to kill me, it wouldn’t be hard to do. I work in a public place, I drive home alone, I live alone. It wouldn’t be difficult.”
“You’re not the target right now, Nicole. But you will be. He wants to make sure he has your attention first. No doubt, he’s watching you. He probably knows that I’ve been to see you more than once.”
Their eyes met across the desk and Nicole smiled. “You really want me to give up names, don’t you?”
“Nicole, he’s killed three women,” Jake said quietly. “And he won’t stop with three women.”
Nicole nodded. “Okay, Jake. You win. I’ll have Catherine pull you a list of names.”
“Thank you.”
Nicole twirled her pen nervously between her hands. “You realize that if I didn’t know you, I wouldn’t agree to this, don’t you?”
Jake smiled. “And you realize, if I didn’t know you, I wouldn’t care so much.” She stood up, shoving hands into pockets. “We can discuss this more over dinner, you know,” she suggested.